The Thrill of Christmas Morning

It was Christmas Eve of 2001. My two siblings and I were excited for the season. We snuggled down into our beds, waiting for the thrill of the morning. As soon as the sun was up, we would sprint into the living room and begin to frantically tear apart the layers of perfectly wrapped paper, which was the only thing that separated us from our new gifts.

We probably would end up fighting over who got the biggest present and would laugh at who got the silliest gift. Then, we would spend the rest of the day drinking hot cocoa or eggnog and eating way too much honey-baked ham. With our childlike wonder, we dreamt of morning.

A Test of Hope

However, in the room across the hall, our mother was wide-awake. Unlike us, she was not excited for the morning to come. What would normally be a time of celebration was now overshadowed by feelings of anxiety, fear, and unworthiness. After our parents’ divorce, she struggled to make ends meet.

Although she worked three jobs to provide for the family, our mother didn’t have enough money to buy groceries for the holiday season, let alone Christmas gifts. Faced with this huge financial burden, she cried out to the Lord in prayer, hoping that the Way Maker would make a way for our family. She had no way to know that the Christmas miracle that strengthened our faith was on its way.

All she could do was hold onto hope until morning.

The Lord is Near

My siblings and I awoke to a loud cry coming from the other end of the house. We ran into the kitchen to find the back door swung wide open. Outside, we found our mother sitting in the middle of a mountain of food. Boxes and boxes were full of canned goods and staple items, including the ham and eggnog.

Our mom sat there and wept for the great Christmas blessing we had received. The Lord had answered her prayer, for He hears the cry of the righteous and is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:17-18).

The Soul Felt Its Worth

I’ve never forgotten how the Lord provided for my family that day. At a time of struggle and great need, He grew our faith and proved Himself faithful. Because someone else decided to be the hands and feet of Jesus for us, our lives were never again the same.

You, too, have the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus this Christmas season. If you would like to bless a family in need, give to the Christmas Project, which is designed to help end food insecurity in Middle Tennessee and to strengthen the faith of our community. The Christmas miracle that strengthened our faith can be the same for those around you today. Your generosity can make the difference in a life just like mine.